SVcummins/ Custom Farming

TDJD · Mar 28, 2019

Thanks again to everyone who commented on the custom farming topic I posted last year. SV (or others), I?m working to start my custom farming business. Your advice really helped, so I thought I would ask you a few more questions. Do you charge for broken parts (like plow shares and disc blades)? Do you have a waiver (insurance) for damage to their property? Do you have a contract, or do they pay when the work is done? And if there?s any other information that you think would be helpful I would appreciate that.
Thanks.

David Snipes · Mar 28, 2019

Unless the broken parts were due to gross negligence of the customer I think broken parts would be a cost of doing business.

SVcummins · Mar 28, 2019

I ask for half down deposit before I start a job I don?t usually charge for broken parts like shares unless it becomes excessive unless it?s exceptionally rocky you shouldn?t break more than one or two every 100 acres or more . I have custom farming insurance that Is just added to my farm policy . I have a Receipt book that I use to write down each job and the acres the and all that

SVcummins · Mar 28, 2019

I had a job last year where the parts bill was more than the cost of the job around a 1000$ for parts that goes to the customer he also gave me a 500$ bonus on top of it

SVcummins · Mar 28, 2019

Here maybe you can see a bill for a job coming up .

johnofnewhaven · Mar 28, 2019

If I hired anyone to do a job of any kind and they changed me for broken tools or parts I would never hire them again. If they told me that up front I would not hire them in the first place! For one thing how is a customer to know the condition of the tools or equipment to start with? I do expect a contractor to factor in wearable items into their bid. But don't come to me and tell me something broke and I am responsible. I have hired a lot of work done over the years that involved heavy equipment and thing have broke or broke down. I was never asked to pay for them.

DeltaRed · Mar 28, 2019

Every situation is different. Some folks wont let you out the gate without paying.All the way to trying not to pay. I usually just have a conversation.I don't use 'contracts',and have never been burned,however some folks take a while to pay,but I always get my money.I usually charge by the acre,bale...Some small jobs get charged hourly.with one hour minimum.I don't charge for breakdowns,or normal wear. However if I hit a hidden post,or something,or some extreme circumstances,I charge extra to cover.If I hit a gate,fence,break a chunk of gated pipe,I fix or replace.Custom work can make you some good money,but It can really'bust your balls'too.You're also on '24 hr call'. folks call and want you there NOW. You cant do that.You have to schedule and plan. Some will get mad and call someone else.That's OK,those kind are hard to work for anyway. Do good quality work,charge a reasonable fee and you will get the work.Do good work,people wont care what kind of equipment,or how new it is.Good work brings repeat customers. I don't advertise,just word of mouth.'Custom operators' come and g

nly a few really stick to it.Good luck

TDJD · Mar 28, 2019

Thanks SV, that helps a lot!

DeltaRed · Mar 28, 2019

I use the same invoice book.

TDJD · Mar 28, 2019

Thanks DeltaRed!

SVcummins · Mar 28, 2019

I had a different one last year but I like this one a lot better it has more room and places for more information

SVcummins · Mar 28, 2019

I did a job the guy failed to tell me it was a rock pile and that the last guy quit because he kept breaking parts in the rocks the piece of land was also quite a bit larger than he thought which I found when it came time to plant the place the guy was really good about it all and paid for the parts . I broke more plow shares on 40 acres than I have on 500 even with a trip reset plow . I wish I had known all the details before I started it would have saved everyone a lot of time and money by using a different tool

FBH44 · Mar 29, 2019

My "friend" asked me one time if I had a tractor and bush-hog, I said yes, he asked how much to hog some acreage. I told him, I drove over to do it and after hitting the 12th huge rock, and banging the tractor and hog around severely, I told him I just couldn't do the job, too many huge rocks. He said Yeah, that's what everyone else said too ?.. some friend.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 29, 2019

I guess it depends on the area, hitting rocks is a normal thing in my area its up to the operator to not to tear up their equipment,no one would pay for broken parts.Any small acreage folks in your area? I can make more working up a 1/2 acre deer plot or garden than I'd probably make working up 10 acres for a farmer.

JamesJTX · Mar 29, 2019

The one thing that I do before quoting a job is go look at it before doing anything.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 29, 2019

I almost never see anyone using a moldboard plow in my area,its all chisel plows.To me chisel plows do a better job all the way around.

Eldon (WA) · Mar 29, 2019

(quoted from post at 04:19:48 03/29/19) I almost never see anyone using a moldboard plow in my area,its all chisel plows.To me chisel plows do a better job all the way around.

I rototill a lot of gardens. If I get a new customer in a rocky area I take the mounted chisel plow thru it first, then I decide if I want to till it....saved a lot of wear and tear.

Eldon (WA) · Mar 29, 2019

(quoted from post at 04:01:02 03/29/19) I guess it depends on the area, hitting rocks is a normal thing in my area its up to the operator to not to tear up their equipment,no one would pay for broken parts.Any small acreage folks in your area? I can make more working up a 1/2 acre deer plot or garden than I'd probably make working up 10 acres for a farmer.

I charge the square root of the area up to about a 100 x 100, for tilling. Most families can handle a 40 x 40 garden, so it costs them $40. Takes me about 10 minutes with my rig. I like the days I can line up a bunch of gardens and make a loop around the neighborhood.

MSS3020 · Mar 29, 2019

I dont charge for broken parts... just part of the experience so ta speak.. Im primary hay farmer.. Ive done fields that I have ran into electric fence wire in a field various parts and tools.. electric round fence posts dont do a swather anygood... I dont do new fields anymore.. to much liability on my equipment..

Other then that we decide before hand on cash, 50/50 split, or whatever.. usually handshake but anymore I think Id do a contract giving them a copy and me a copy.. that way no one forgets..

TDJD · Mar 29, 2019

Thanks for the information that helps a lot!

SVcummins · Mar 29, 2019

A chisel will be what we use next time but the guy wanted in ?deep plowed ? so we had to work out a few kinks

Traditional Farmer · Mar 29, 2019

Thats odd a chisel plow goes deeper than any moldboard plow.

SVcummins · Mar 29, 2019

fbh44 That?s the guy who gets charged for parts

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